The Division for Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programmes collaborates with more than 80 countries to ensure growth opportunities from trade and investment, to improve development prospects, and to enable their more effective participation in the global economy. The Division provides timely, targeted research and analysis, as well as innovative policy recommendations regarding development, trade and investment.

Through its analysis of African economic issues, UNCTAD aims to increase awareness of some of the most critical development problems of the continent, and to promote action at national, regional and international levels to support African development efforts with a view to enhancing the participation of African countries in the world economy.

News

UNCTAD Secretary-General Supachai Panitchpakdi has told a Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) event that effective governance is a key factor for raising living standards for millions of smallholder farmers.

The University of Nigeria (UNN) has joined UNCTAD's Virtual Institute, as the thirty-ninth core university member, bringing the number of countries represented in the Virtual Institute to 13 in Africa and 42 worldwide.

Improving infrastructure, making the tax system "friendlier" for small businesses, and taking advantage of Djibouti's geographical location were among topics reviewed as officials considered how to boost foreign investment.

On 18 December 2012, the General Assembly added South Sudan to the list of Least Developed Countries (LDCs). LDC status was established in 1971, under the auspices of UNCTAD, as a vehicle for international attention to the most structurally disadvantaged countries.